Review: LGBTQ+ Tours at The Burrell Collection | Bethany Watt
8 Immortals
Disobedient Magazine was kindly granted access to the LGBTQ+ tour at The Burrell Collection last month. The museum has been a popular attraction in Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park since 1983, where it has been home to the collection of 9,000 artefacts belonging to William and Constance Burrell. Researchers have uncovered unique origins of some of these pieces, proving them to be historic evidence of queer resistance.
The collection began with a painting purchased by William Burrell when he was just 15, 75 years of accumulation have resulted in Chinese art, sets of armour, medieval treasures, stained glass, and two hundred tapestries. All of these objects have their own stories, and the researchers at The Burrell Collection strive to communicate the history behind each unique piece, making the building an immersive catalogue - telling tales of magic, romance, and tragedy.
Jo Reid, assistant programme officer, shared how this tour came to fruition: “So William Burrell was a late 19th and early 20th century man, he was not thinking about the LGBTQ+ tour when making his collection.
“But through our research and especially during our recent redevelopment [2022], we realised that this is a collection for the people of Glasgow, we need to make sure that it speaks to and represents the people of Glasgow.”
Jo added, “And that’s the thing, even though William Burrell didn’t intend to collect anything to represent or tell LGBTQ+ histories or stories, because LGBTQ+ people have been a part of history for as long as there has been history, no matter your collection, there will always be these hints of LGBTQ+.”
The building’s interior is reminiscent of the Cullen family home in Twilight (apparently, they get that comparison a lot), and it perfectly clashes with the objects scattered inside. There is certainly a curated randomness to the museum; it feels like I am walking around in an eclectic maximalist house with the owner answering my every question.
Catriona McLaughlin, gallery assistant, discussed her favourite piece in the tour: “One of the objects that I really like is a little figure of Lan Caihe.
“Lan Caihe is one of the 8 immortals; they are very important in secular Chinese culture as well as being seen as religious figures.
“Lan Caihe is a figure that we now might describe as being genderfluid or non binary, but they have been part of the 8 immortals since the 15th century.
“This really emphasises what we are trying to highlight on these tours, which is that LGBTQ+ people and experiences have existed for as long as people have existed.”
Lan Caihe
Another piece of note is the soft-faced porcelain figure of Kitty Clive, a popular actress in 18th century London. She was adored for her depictions of working-class women and for constantly advocating for their rights in real life.
Kitty Clive retired and lived in a community of solely women. There were rumours and even a poem written about her presumed sexuality. Jo stated: “With [the majority] of LGBTQ+ history, it’s a lot of reading between the lines and decoding language.
“However, with Kitty, it is wonderful to see that she surrounded herself with women and love.
“She was such a strong character who could stand up for herself, and I think she’s just great.”
Porcelain figure, Kitty Clive
The LGBTQ+ tour is free entry, with the next being held on January 27th. More information about future tours and times can be found here: https://burrellcollection.com/event/16c8767a-c821-4d21-a3a6-b01300fedacb/
About Bethany
She/her
Bethany Watt is Disobedient Magazine’s Current Affairs Editor. She has freelance experience with STV, the Royal Television Society, and the Scottish government. Her favourite subjects to cover include human interest stories, activism, and film. She’s always keen to hear new stories. You can contact her at bethanywatt90@gmail.com.
